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Title

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20120027424

REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives first information indicating that a toner cartridge has been replaced with a new one and second information indicating that the remaining amount of toner contained in a toner cartridge reaches a predetermined value, from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information or the second information, depending on which is received by the receiver, the first information or the second information; and a transmitter which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner.

02-02-2012

20100028025

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge. In the case where the process cartridge is a fresh cartridge, after toner (developer) is sufficiently fed to a developer carrying member in the entire longitudinal area of the developer carrying member, an initializing operation for depositing the toner on a contact portion between an image bearing member and a cleaning blade.

02-04-2010

20090274472

REPLACEABLE PRINTER COMPONENT WITH ELECTRONIC TAG - A replaceable printer component including an electronic tag and an angled protective ramp. The electronic tag is attached to a surface of the replaceable printer component. The angled protective ramp extends from the surface of the replaceable printer component adjacent the electronic tag. The angled protective ramp has a height that is greater than a height of the electronic tag.

11-05-2009

20140248060

POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLY ASSEMBLY, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a powder containing compartment having a powder outlet connectable to a horizontally extending tube of an apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet in conjunction with installation of the powder container, and at least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged from the powder outlet thereof to the tube. A downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus, and at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion is unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container.

09-04-2014

20130084082

Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge Therefor - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming device includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a moving member and a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the cartridge electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.

04-04-2013

20130343770

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC FUSER ASSEMBLY LABELING - An approach is provided for pairing a fuser assembly with a media size and for electronically labeling the fuser assembly for use with the media size. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a fuser assembly having a memory to be tagged with an identifier related to a corresponding media size, the identifier being stored in the memory. The approach also involves determining a media size associated with a print job to be run by a printing system. The approach further involves determining the identifier of an installed fuser assembly. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, a comparison between the determined media size associated with the print job and the identifier of the installed fuser assembly to determine if a conflict exists.

12-26-2013

20090269085

Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. In the image forming apparatus, a contact portion that contacts a detection gear of a development cartridge and to which information about the development cartridge is transmitted is positioned inside of a path for attachment and detachment of a process cartridge. At both times of attachment and detachment of the process cartridge to and from a main unit casing, when the process cartridge contacts the contact portion, the contact portion can be swayed in a single direction while a pivot extending in a direction parallel to the direction of attachment and detachment of the process cartridge is taken as a fulcrum for swaying action.

10-29-2009

20090269086

Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - An image forming apparatus has: a photosensitive cartridge; a development cartridge detachably mounted to the photosensitive cartridge; a main body in which the photosensitive cartridge is detachably mounted; a first sensor; a second sensor; and a control unit. Where the second sensor is brought into a second state after being temporarily brought into a first state, it is determined that the development cartridge is a new one. Where the second sensor is in the first state and the first sensor receives light within a predetermined period of time, it is determined that both the development cartridge and the photosensitive cartridge are not mounted Where the second sensor is in the first state, and the first sensor does not continuously receive the light for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that the photosensitive cartridge is mounted and the development cartridge is not mounted.

10-29-2009

20120219305

DEVELOPMENT UNIT DETERMINING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - Disclosed are a method of determining whether a development unit is refilled with developer and an image forming device adopting the method. The method comprises a first step of reading a serial number and an amount of remaining developer from the development unit, and determining whether the amount of the remaining developer read from the development unit is greater than 0; and a second step of determining, in a case where the determination result of the first step is “YES”, that the development unit is not refilled with the developer; or determining, in a case where the determination result of the first step is “NO”, whether the development unit is refilled with the developer, based on information stored in the development unit.

08-30-2012

20130302043

Apparatus and Method for Destroying an Encoder Wheel - Image recording devices, such as electrophotographic devices, laser printers, copiers, and fax machines, often have a cartridge that utilizes an encoder wheel assembly in addition to or instead of a chip for determining toner load. It may be desirable to alter the encoder wheel or part of the cartridge, either by the printer or the cartridge, to permit a deliberate end of life function situation that requires the replacement of the cartridge, encoder wheel, or encoder wheel assembly components. This thereby controls the remanufacture or replacement of the toner cartridge in a way that is desirable to the manufacturer and prevents unauthorized refilling of the cartridge.

11-14-2013

20160131992

Systems, Methods and Apparatuses for Authorized Use and Refill of a Printer - A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key.

05-12-2016

20130202317

Image Forming Device Having Process Unit That Can Be Pulled Out Thereof - An image forming device includes a main body, and a support unit. The main body is provided with a first force receiving portion. The support unit is configured to receive a developer cartridge and be pulled out from the main body in a horizontal direction. The developer cartridge is configured to accommodate therein developer. The developer cartridge has a first force applying portion. The support unit has a transmitting member. The transmitting member includes a second force receiving portion configured to receive a force from the first force-receiving portion and a second force applying portion configured to apply the force received by the second force receiving portion to the first force receiving portion.

08-08-2013

20100129090

METHOD TO PREVENT METERED TONER GRAY MARKET LEAKAGE - A device, such as a printer or copier, identifies the type of module being used. If the type of module requires the device to receive an unlock code, the device prompts for the unlock code (which can be a hash of the serial number of the device). Once the unlock code is received, the device can be used with modules of that type. If the unlock code is not received, the device does not operate with modules of that type.

05-27-2010

20100247114

PRINT SYSTEM WITH DROP-IN INTERCHANGEABLE MODULAR ACCESSORY CARTRIDGE - A print system with one or more interchangeable modular accessory cartridges that will interchange with conventional printer cartridges. The interchangeable modular accessory cartridges are mounted in the printer in fixed relation to an imaging area and are identifiable to carry out supplemental actions. The accessory cartridges are capable of communicating and are controllable by a controller.

09-30-2010

20100074634

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a developer housing that holds a developer; a lubricant supply brush that rotates when in contact with the developer housing, and that supplies a lubricant to a surface of the developer housing; a lubricant that is in contact with the lubricant supply brush; a first voltage supply unit that supplies an AC voltage on which a DC voltage is superimposed to the lubricant supply brush; a determination unit that determines whether or not a usage state of the developer housing is a state at an initial stage; and a controller that controls the first voltage supply unit to supply the AC voltage on which the DC voltage is superimposed to the lubricant supply brush, prior to start of execution of an image forming operation if the determination unit determines that the usage state of the developer housing is the state at the initial stage.

03-25-2010

20110020014

IMAGE FORMING AGENT STORAGE CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF MOUNTING/DETACHING IMAGE FORMING AGENT STORAGE CONTAINER AND METHOD OF FILLING/REFILLING IMAGE FORMING AGENT - A storage container includes a container body formed with a discharge hole and a filling hole, an opening and closing part opening and closing the discharge hole, a lid member sealing the filling hole, and an operating member having a facing portion facing the filling hole and used to operate the opening and closing part. The operating member moves between a first position where the discharge hole is brought into an opened state, a second position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which overlaps the container body, and a third position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which does not overlap the container body in the direction of gravity in which the sealing part is attached to the container body.

01-27-2011

20140205303

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to which a plurality of kinds of cartridge having different configurations; a fan device for cooling the cartridges mounted to the mounting portion with air flow provided thereby; a changing device for changing a state of the air flow in accordance with the configuration of the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion.

07-24-2014

20160033895

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TONER CONTAINER - An image forming apparatus includes a development section, a toner replenishment section, a toner sensor, and a determination section. The new toner container is filled with first and second toners that have different magnetic characteristics. The new container supplies the first toner to the toner replenishment section prior to the second toner. The determination section determines replacement of an existing toner container by a new one upon the output value of the toner sensor changing from a value out of a first-toner output value range to a value therewithin. The first-toner output value range is a range of an output value of the toner sensor in response to the magnetic characteristic of the first tone.

02-04-2016

20130084083

Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge Therefor - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a CPU, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode, a moving member and a pressure member. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the pressure member to be movable. The cartridge electrode is movable in accordance with the movement of the pressure member. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.

04-04-2013

20130084084

Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge Therefor - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The cartridge electrode is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the main electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.

04-04-2013

20090297171

Systems and Methods for Imaging Components - A cartridge chip for use with a first type of imaging cartridge and a second type of imaging cartridge comprises a controller and a resistive element connected between the controller and a reference potential, the cartridge chip adapted for operation in a first mode of operation compatible with the first type of imaging cartridge when the controller detects the reference potential through the resistive element, the cartridge chip adapted for operation in a second mode of operation compatible with the second type of imaging cartridge when the controller cannot detect the reference potential through the resistive element.

12-03-2009

20110008063

TONER CARTRIDGE - According to one embodiment, a toner cartridge includes a cartridge body to contain toner. A stirring member is contained in the cartridge body. The stirring member is rotated in the cartridge body to stir the toner. An indicator section to indicate a state of the toner in the cartridge body is provided on the cartridge body. The indicator section is configured to lead a part of the toner in the cartridge body to the outside of the cartridge body.

01-13-2011

20160091858

Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including a main body, a photoconductive drum, a development cartridge including a development roller, a switching mechanism configured to switch between a contact state where the development roller and the photoconductive drum are in contact with each other, and a separate state where the development roller and the photoconductive drum are separated away from each other, and a controller configured to perform a preparatory mode to make preparations for forming a developer image on the photoconductive drum and transferring onto a transfer object the developer image formed on the photoconductive drum, and during execution of the preparatory mode, rotate the development roller while maintaining the separate state between the development roller and the photoconductive drum.

03-31-2016

20160026129

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH DETACHABLE FIXING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device that is capable of printing with high quality without printing wastefully. A storage unit stores identification information about a fixing device in association with an attribute of a sheet that is printable with the fixing device concerned. A control unit executes printing when the storage unit does not store an attribute of a sheet corresponding to a fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. The control unit determines whether to execute printing according to an attribute of a sheet used in printing and an attribute of a sheet stored in the storage unit when the storage unit stores the attribute of the sheet corresponding to the fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus.

01-28-2016

20110103807

REPLACEMENT SMART CARD WITH A MICROCONTROLLER - The invention is a replacement smart card that allows a printer to utilize a replacement printer cartridge. The replacement smart card has an integrated circuit and a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to intercept the request from the printer for the unique lot number data and to provide the appropriate unique lot number data to the printer in response to the request. The integrated circuit is programmed just like the original equipment manufacturer integrated circuit, and, with the exception of providing the unique lot number data to the printer, communicates with the printer just as the original equipment manufacturer integrated circuit would.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming stations, each including a developing device, a toner container containing a colored or special toner, and a replaceable supply-toner conduit extending from the toner container to the developing device; and a toner type identifier to identify a type of toner used in the supply-toner conduit of each of the plurality of image forming stations.

02-19-2015

20100178066

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - The invention provides a mechanism which allows a common device driver to obtain identification information of a USB device desired by an application that controls a USB device via a common device driver. Furthermore, the invention includes two types of common device drivers to be registered in an OS to have different priorities, and provides a common interface that does not allow the application to recognize their difference.

07-15-2010

20100215382

IMAGE FORMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING POSITIONS OF IMAGE FORMATION SECTIONS IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The present invention provides an image forming device including: plural image formation sections, a second exposure section, a transfer body, a reading section and an identification section. Each image formation section includes a control section that controls a first exposure section to form an identification image of a color represented by color information in accordance with an image formation instruction. The second exposure section performs exposure onto a charged image-bearing body and forms an electrostatic latent image. An image is formed at the transfer body. The reading section reads an image. The identification section outputs to the plurality of image formation sections an image formation instruction and, on the basis of a duration from the output until the identification image is read by the reading section, identifies a position of the image formation section forming the image of the color instructed by the image formation instruction.

08-26-2010

20100209123

CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner cartridge for a printer includes a species detection key which forms a part of an outer shape of the cartridge and an IC chip which stores individual information, wherein a part of a harness for connecting to the IC chip or between the IC chip and a connector portion is mounted on the species detection key. A main body of the printer has a key receiving portion which mates with the species detection key. Thereby, the printer can detect erroneous attachment of a cartridge at early stage and surely cope with various types of cartridges requiring only compact space with the aid of its detection means.

08-19-2010

20140112670

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same is provided. A plurality of cells formed at the surface of a transfer roller is filled with a developing agent to initialize the transfer roller, thereby suppressing contamination and electrical non-uniformity of the transfer roller. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus includes determining whether a transfer roller mounted in the image forming apparatus is a new one and, upon determining that the transfer roller is a new one, feeding a developing agent to the surface of the transfer roller and filling a plurality of cells formed at the surface of the transfer roller with the developing agent to initialize the transfer roller.

04-24-2014

20100254720

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL PARAMETER CORRECTING METHOD - There is provided an image forming apparatus in which a correction value is acquired from a storage device provided in a coloring agent cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus, it is determined whether the acquired correction value is within a specified numerical range, and when it is determined that the acquired correction value is not within the specified numerical range, a control parameter of a specified process relevant to an image forming operation is corrected based on a specified correction value previously set to correct the control parameter of the specified process performed by the image forming apparatus.

10-07-2010

20090285586

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING INTERCHANGE BETWEEN COMPONENT PARTS IN THE APPARATUS - An apparatus which is capable of substantially prolonging the service live of each component part and preventing the degradation of apparatus specifications before and after parts interchange work by the user. A controller of the image forming apparatus detects a component part requiring interchange from among the component parts based on wear ratios of the respective component parts. The controller determines whether or not to interchange the component part requiring interchange with another component part, based on the wear ratios of the respective component parts and usage rate of the respective component positions. When it is determined that the component part requiring interchange should be interchanged with another component part, the image forming apparatus issues a parts interchange notification.

11-19-2009

20120134688

NEW/USED CARTRIDGE DETECTION - A developer cartridge includes a housing and a detection gear having a detection protrusion detectable by detecting device of an image forming apparatus. The detection gear is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the detection protrusion is detectable by the detecting device and a gear toothed portion opposes an agitator gear. In the second position, the detection protrusion is undetectable by the detecting device and a toothless portion opposes the agitator gear. When the detection gear is in the first position, an urging portion of the housing contacts the detection gear and applies rotational force to urge the gear toothed portion toward the agitator gear. When in the second position, the urging portion contacts the detection gear and regulates the position of the detection gear in the rotational direction to cause the toothless portion and the agitator gear to oppose each other.

05-31-2012

20160041502

DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE FOR LASER PRINTER - The present invention discloses a developing cartridge for a laser printer, comprising a stirring wheel and an activation mechanism, the activation mechanism comprising a diameter-changing wheel, a return spring and a sliding block, wherein the diameter-changing wheel is parallel with an axial direction of the stirring wheel and includes two sections of arcs, a larger diameter arc of the two sections of arcs is meshed with the stirring wheel, a protruding block is provided on a lateral end wall at a side of the axial direction of the diameter-changing wheel facing the end cover, a part of the end cover corresponding to the diameter-changing wheel is provided as an inclined wall, the inclined wall is provided with a sliding groove, the sliding block is mounted in the sliding groove, the return spring presses the sliding block in the sliding groove at one end close to the diameter-changing wheel.

02-11-2016

20110076034

IDENTIFYING MACHINE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND ROLLER IDENTIFYING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a roller that should be identified, an indicator configured to rotate together with the roller, a sensor configured to come into contact with the indicator and read plural steps of the indicator, a storage configured to store an identification code, and a controller configured to compare the identification code read out from the storage and an output of the sensor.

03-31-2011

20090279905

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a unit, which is detachably attachable to a main body of the apparatus and has a portion to be detected, and a detecting device which detects the portion to be detected in the unit. It is determined that the unit is in an unused state since both of a first state in which the portion to be detected is detected by the detecting device and a second state in which the portion to be detected is not detected by the detecting device are confirmed, and thereafter, the first state or the second state is maintained. Furthermore, there is provided a restricting member which inhibits the first state or the second state from being maintained.

11-12-2009

20090297170

Image Forming Apparatus and Computer Readable Medium - An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a plurality of cartridges removably mounted to the apparatus main body and accommodating developer of respective colors, each of the cartridges including a nonvolatile memory; and a storing control unit provided in the apparatus main body. The storing control unit is configured to store, in each of the nonvolatile memories, given information on all of the cartridges and identification information of the cartridges in response to a use of at least one of the cartridges, such that the given information on each of the cartridges is associated with identification information of a respective one of the cartridges.

12-03-2009

20100322641

TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge comprises a toner container which contains toner, a driving member which rotationally drives a conveying member, an agitating member which agitates a toner in the toner container while being rotated, a driven member which rotates in association with the driving member which is for rotationally driving the agitating member, and a rotational body which rotates according to rotation of the driven member, has a plurality of slits in rotational circumference for identifying a type of the toner cartridge, and has 1/K or more of the slits when a ratio of a rotational speed R

12-23-2010

20130322893

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is characterized by including a first developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image using a developer, a second developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image using a developer, a common driving source unit configured to commonly drive the first developing device and the second developing device, and an execution unit configured, in a case where only the first developing device is a new developing device, to execute a predetermined initialization operation to drive the first developing device and a toner discharge operation to discharge toner from the second developing device during the initialization operation.

12-05-2013

20140294403

Cartridge Having Photosensitive Body Cartridge and Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge includes: a first rotary body having at least one detected part; and a second rotary body. The first rotary body is configured to rotate between a first position, in which a transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body, and a second position, in which a non-transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body. The first rotary body includes a contacted part. A photosensitive body cartridge includes a moving member. When the moving member is in a third position, the moving member contacts the contacted part of the first rotary body disposed in the second position, causing the first rotary body to rotate to the first position. Thereafter, in association with rotation of the first rotary body, the moving member moves to a fourth position, in which the moving member is unable to contact the contacted part.

10-02-2014

20150331370

IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: first and second rotatable members configured to heat an image on a sheet at a nip; a roughening member configured to perform roughening of a surface of the first rotatable member when at least the first rotatable member of the first and second rotatable members rotates; a moving mechanism configured to move the roughening member relative to the first rotatable member so that the roughening member is movable between a contact position where the roughening member is contacted to the first rotatable member and a spaced position where the roughening member is spaced from the first rotatable member; an obtaining portion configured to obtain information indicating that the first rotatable member is a new one; and a controller configured to control the moving mechanism to perform the roughening upon obtaining of the information by the obtaining portion.

11-19-2015

20110044703

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR MANAGING REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a code storing section configured to store a valid authentication code; a history storing section configured to store peculiar information of a used replacement component; a code determining section configured to determine, when an unused replacement component is replaced, whether a permission authentication code is valid; and a cartridge determining section configured to determine whether the unused replacement component is a regular replacement component.

02-24-2011

20100232814

Image Forming Apparatus and Method of Controlling the Same - An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a device information storage unit, a determiner and a controller. The device information storage unit is included in a replaceable device of the image forming apparatus and stores device-related information. The determiner determines whether the replaceable deice is a licensed or recycled product by analyzing the information stored in the device information storage unit, and outputs the determination result. The controller controls an operation of the image forming apparatus in response to the determination result output from the determiner. Since an operation of the image forming apparatus can be controlled according to characteristics of the replaceable device installed in the image forming apparatus, printing quality can be prevented from being deteriorated, durability of the image forming apparatus can be lengthened, and a user can safely use the image forming apparatus.

COLLAPSIBLE PACKAGING SYSTEM - A printing machine including a material supply module adapted to expel a marking material contained in a collapsible package having an information-bearing tag. The material supply module includes a reader for obtaining information from the information-bearing tag, a package opening actuator configured to cause the collapsible package to open, and at least one hopper for receiving the marking material. The printing machine also includes a marking device module configured to receive the marking material from the at least one hopper. Other aspects are a method of supplying marking material and a method of verifying the contents of a marking material package.

10-28-2010

20120033981

IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The image forming device includes a main body and a cartridge that is detachably mountable on the main body. The cartridge includes the image bearing member, the first and second cleaning roller, and the state changing unit. The first cleaning roller cleans the image bearing member and the second cleaning roller cleans the first cleaning roller. The state changing unit is configured to irreversibly change an electrically disconnected state between the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller into an electrically connected state between the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller. The resetting unit is configured to reset the cumulative value when the current detecting unit does not detect current before the image bearing member rotates and detects current after the image bearing member rotates.

02-09-2012

20100278544

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENSURING THAT ONLY A SPECIFIC TONER IS USED FOR PRINTING A DOCUMENT - The present invention relates to a system and method for ensuring that a correct toner is used for printing a document. A printer receives data about a document requiring a specific toner type to print the document. The printer receives toner type identification from a toner cartridge inserted into the printer. The specific toner type required is compared with the available toner type in the cartridge. If the available toner type in the cartridge matches the specific toner type, the document is printed. If there is no match, the printer displays an error message and does not print the document.

11-04-2010

20100329699

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a toner supplying device, a toner container, and a developing device. The toner supplying device supplies toners stored in the toner container to the developing device. The toner supplying device includes a toner tank which stores toners discharged from the toner container, a toner carrying section which carries the toners stored in the toner tank in an obliquely upward direction, and a toner dropping route which causes the toners carried by the toner carrying section to drop into the developing device by toner own weight. The toner carrying section controls an amount of the toners to flow into the toner dropping route.

12-30-2010

20150037049

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing members, replaceable development units, replaceable toner replenishing members, toner supply units, and a control unit. The development units are each provided for a corresponding one of the plurality of image bearing members. The toner replenishing members are each provided for a corresponding one of the development units. The toner supply units are arranged between the respective toner replenishing members and the development units. The control unit causes the image forming apparatus to execute a toner supply unit cleaning mode to convey a last-used toner inside the toner supply unit into the development unit which is last used and to be replaced to empty the toner supply unit, when replacement of the development unit and the corresponding toner replenishing member is designated to use a toner of a type different from the last-used toner.

02-05-2015

20110176818

IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, IDENTIFYING DEVICE, SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED DEVICE, AND IDENTIFYING METHOD - In an image forming device, a plurality of objects are detachably disposed, each of the objects having a storage area to store object-related information of the object, and configured to return, in response to an acquisition request, a signal with a voltage in a predetermined range which is distinctly different among the objects, the signal carrying the object-related information of the object. The image forming device includes a transmitting unit that transmits acquisition requests of object-related information to the objects respectively, a receiving unit that receives signals from the objects respectively, a voltage detection unit that detects a range of voltage of each of the signals received, and an identifying unit that identifies each of the objects respectively based on the ranges of voltage detected.

07-21-2011

20110176817

DEVELOPER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A developer of an image-forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a housing comprising a waste toner container in which waste toner removed from the photoconductor is contained, and a recessed portion depressed downwardly in a center portion of an upper wall of the waste toner container, the center portion corresponding to a center portion of the photoconductor in a lengthwise direction to move toner away from the center portion.

07-21-2011

20140270815

Cartridge Detection - A cartridge which may include a housing, a driving input member provided at the housing and configured to be rotated by an externally supplied rotation driving force, and a rotational member configured to receive the rotation driving force, which is transmitted from the driving input member, and be rotated thereby. The cartridge may also include a detection protrusion including an elastic body and which is disposed at a position away from a rotational center of the rotational member. The detection protrusion may protrude from the rotational member away from the housing. The cartridge may also include a cover attached to the housing, the cover having an opposite part that faces a portion of the rotational member from which the detection protrusion protrudes. At an initial position, which is a position before the rotational member is rotated, the detection protrusion may abut the opposite part of the cover.

SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTHORIZED USE AND REFILL OF A PRINTER CARTRIDGE - A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key.

09-18-2014

20140186058

Cartridge Configured of Two Units and Image Forming Apparatus that Accommodates the Cartridge - A cartridge mountable in an image forming apparatus includes a first unit that stores developer and a second unit that accommodates the first unit. The first unit includes a first detected part configured to be displaced irreversibly from a first-unit new-product position to a first-unit used position upon receipt of a driving force from the image forming apparatus, the first detected part contacting a detector provided in the image forming apparatus while being displaced from the first-unit new-product position to the first-unit used position to be detected by the detector. The second unit includes a second detected part configured to be displaced irreversibly from a second-unit new-product position to a second-unit used position upon receipt of a driving force from the image forming apparatus, the second detected part contacting the detector while being displaced from the second-unit new-product position to the second-unit used position to be detected by the detector.

07-03-2014

20130279921

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including: an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed; a developer carrying member configured to carry developer; a conductive member paired with one of the developer carrying member and the image bearing member to form a capacitor; a contact-separation member configured to assume a first position for bringing the developer carrying member into contact with the image bearing member and a second position for separating the developer carrying member from the image bearing member; a detecting unit configured to detect a capacitance of the capacitor applied with a voltage; and a control unit configured to detect whether the apparatus is ready for image formation based on a first detected result detected by the detecting unit when the contact-separation member assumes the first position and a second detected result detected by the detecting unit when the contact-separation member assumes the second position.

10-24-2013

20130089343

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming portion for forming an image, a nongenuine product judging portion for judging whether or not a toner cartridge as a replacement part of the image forming portion is a nongenuine product and a control portion for controlling the image forming portion according to an image forming condition input from a copy condition input screen or a print condition input screen. In a case where the toner cartridge of the image forming portion is judged as a nongenuine product by the nongenuine product judging portion, the control portion restricts input of a condition concerning recording paper among the image forming conditions capable of being input from the copy condition input screen or the print condition input screen.

04-11-2013

20130272724

CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus which includes a main body, a driving unit and a detecting unit, includes: a housing that is configured to accommodate a developer therein, and includes a first side wail and a second side wall opposed to the first side wall in a longitudinal direction; a passive unit that is configured to receive a driving force from the driving unit, is mounted on the first side wall, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction; and a detected body mounted on the first side wall and including a detected part which is detected by the detecting unit. The detected body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall by the driving force received by the passive unit.

10-17-2013

20130287411

Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Determining Type of Cartridge Mounted Therein - An image forming apparatus includes: a cartridge; a drive source; a detection unit; and a control device. The cartridge includes a movable member provided with a detected portion and configured to move by a predetermined moving amount. The drive source generates a rotation as a drive force and transmits the drive force to the movable member. The drive source includes a rotation amount detection unit that detects a rotation amount of the drive source and outputs a first detection result. The detection unit detects the detected portion and outputs a second detection result. The control device executes: a calculation process configured to calculate the rotation amount of the drive source during a time period of detecting the detected portion based on the first detection result and the second detection result; and a cartridge type determination process configured to determine a type of the cartridge based on the calculated rotation amount.

10-31-2013

20130051813

Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Judging Whether Cartridge is Newly Mounted - In an image forming apparatus, a cartridge has a cartridge side electrode. A main casing has a main casing side electrode. The cartridge includes a moving member that allows the main casing side electrode to be located at a connection position when the moving member is at a first position, to be located at a disconnection position when the moving member is at a second position, and to be located at the connection position when the moving member is at a third position. A determining unit determines that the cartridge's state is new if the determining unit detects that the main casing side electrode is electrically connected to the cartridge side electrode, then the main casing side electrode is electrically disconnected from the cartridge side electrode temporarily, and then the main casing side electrode is again electrically connected to the cartridge side electrode.

02-28-2013

20110116811

Remotely Located Connection Pads for Activating an Imaging Machine - A circuit board for activating a printer. Electronic circuitry that is adapted to communicate the correct value for printer-cartridge interoperation to the printer is mounted on the circuit board. The electronic circuitry is electrically connected to connection pads that are not located on the circuit board. The connection pads mate with electrical contacts located in the printer, enabling the electronic circuitry to communicate the correct value for printer-cartridge interoperation to the printer through said remotely located connection pads.

05-19-2011

20100290791

Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus is capable of performing a plurality of controlling operations. The image forming apparatus includes a detachable replaceable part having an information storing unit that stores predetermined information, an information reading unit that reads the predetermined information from the information storing unit, a determining unit that determines whether the replaceable part is a genuine part or not based on the predetermined information read by the information reading unit, a display unit capable of displaying the predetermined information, and a control unit that determines a controlling operation among the plurality of controlling operations based on a determination by the determining unit.

11-18-2010

20100290792

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus capable of preventing erroneous reading of an information recording part on a toner container from occurring when the distance between a reading unit and the information recording part changes due to the rotational deflection of the toner container. The reading unit reads information from the information recording part formed on the outer periphery of the toner container. A holding roller comes into contact with the outer periphery of the toner container to position the toner container. The reading unit and the holding roller are arranged on respective lines substantially identical to each other in a direction of a normal to the rotation axis of the toner container.

11-18-2010

20130039667

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus includes a container storage that is installed on a toner container and stores first information relating to a use amount of a toner in the toner container and stores second information relating to a use amount of an image holding portion, which is a component not including the toner container and including at least an image holding body from among components installed in a cartridge; a housing storage that stores at least the second information and remains in the housing when the cartridge is removed from a housing; and an information write unit that writes the second information stored in the housing storage into the container storage if the first information stored in the container storage indicates that the toner in the toner container is unused and the second information stored in the container storage indicates that the image holding portion is used.

02-14-2013

20140314428

TONER CARTRIDGE WITH MEMORY FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus mounted with a toner cartridge having a memory unit includes a toner cartridge which stores a plurality of control data depending on toner in the memory unit, an acquisition unit which selects one of the plurality of control data in the memory unit and acquires image formation-related information and a setting unit which sets image formation parameters on the basis of the image formation-related information.

10-23-2014

20120321326

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING A PART NUMBER FOR A CONSUMABLE TO BE USED IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for indicating a part number for a consumable to be used in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include generating a pre-printed label that includes one or more potential part numbers for the consumable with an indication area proximate to the one or more potential part numbers, the indication area including reactive material, attaching the preprinted label on packaging for the consumable, determining a desired part number from the one or more potential part numbers for the consumable, and indicating the desired part number for the consumable by activating the reactive material proximate to the desired part number.

12-20-2012

20140064746

Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including a wireless tag reader is described. The wireless tag reader is configured to be located in a first position to read wireless tags associated with consumables when the consumables are inserted into, stationary in, or removed from the image forming apparatus, and in a second position to read wireless tags outside of the image forming apparatus.

03-06-2014

20160124344

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, TONER STORAGE MEMBER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a toner storage member which includes a substrate portion and which supplies a toner, a terminal portion and a determination portion. The substrate portion is one substrate which includes a remaining amount detection portion and a memory. The remaining amount detection portion includes a detection circuit which outputs a voltage corresponding to the remaining amount of toner. The memory stores an output value (empty output value) of the detection circuit when the toner storage member is in an empty state. The determination portion compares the empty output value with the output value of the detection circuit to determine whether or not the toner storage member is in the empty state.

05-05-2016

20120076511

CONSUMABLE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A unit installable in an apparatus and a method of managing a unit installed in an apparatus are provided. The unit includes a container for a consumable, and a chip mounted to the container. The chip includes a first memory to store data that is accessible and decodable by the apparatus to authenticate the unit. The chip includes a second memory to store recycling prevention information.

03-29-2012

20120076510

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus including: an image formation section for forming a toner image based on image data on a recording medium; a first fixing device for fixing the toner image formed by the image formation section; an accommodation section for storing the first fixing device or a second fixing device having different specifications than those of the first fixing device; and a peripheral member arranged on the periphery of the accommodation section to operate synchronously with the first fixing device or second fixing device; wherein, when the first fixing device accommodated in the accommodation section has been replaced by the second fixing device, a status of the peripheral member is switched in conformity to specifications of the second fixing device.

03-29-2012

20100209122

FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, RECORDING MEDIUM AND FIXING TREATMENT METHOD - A fixing device of the present invention is equipped with a heated body whose fixing temperature applied to toner is changed and which is heated in accordance with a type of toner that has been discriminated by a toner type discriminating unit that discriminates types of toner classified at least as a result of their melting points differing. When toner with a relatively high melting point has been used, the fixing device is rotated on the basis of a limiting control unit that limits a number of sheets of recording paper that can be continuously fixed.

08-19-2010

20140270814

SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTHORIZED USE AND REFILL OF A PRINTER CARTRIDGE - The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a circuit with permanently and irreversibly changeable state and circuit components configured to receive and process a first message, and receive a second message. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material. The circuit components may be further configured to ignore the second command if the circuit has permanently and irreversibly changed its state to prevent responding to requests to increase the number tracking amount of dispensable material.

09-18-2014

20140270812

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMPLOYING A CUSTOMER REPLACEABLE UNIT (CRU) TO ALTER AN INSTALLATION TYPE FOR THE CRU IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A system and method are provided for employing a customer replaceable unit (CRU) to modify its own installation type when installed in an image forming device, including an image forming device operated under a managed service contract. A database centric CRU inventory control architecture is provided for managing image forming device information through interactive communication with CRU monitoring modules (CRUMs) associated with CRUs installed in many and widely deployed image forming devices. The disclosed systems and methods make use of the CRUMs embedded in CRUs offered by a manufacturer or supplier along with a device management application offered by the manufacturer for on-site use by a customer to implement an inventory tracking and control system that reduces inventory overhead.

09-18-2014

20140294404

Image Forming Apparatus Having Cartridge Detachably Mounted Therein - In an image forming apparatus, a sensing body is disposed at a first position when a cartridge has been removed from an apparatus body, is disposed at a second position when a first part of the sensing body contacts a housing of the cartridge that has been mounted in the apparatus body, and is disposed at a third position when a second part of the sensing body contacts a movable member of the cartridge that has been mounted in the apparatus body. A judging unit determines that the cartridge has been removed from the apparatus body if the sensing body is at the first position, determines that the cartridge has been mounted in the apparatus body if the sensing body is at the second position, and determines that the cartridge is a new product if the sensing body is at the third position.

10-02-2014

20130177326

Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Electrically Detecting Usage State of Process Cartridge Mounted Therein - An image forming apparatus includes: a process cartridge; a voltage applying unit; a contact; an electric line; a detection unit; and a control unit. The voltage applying unit generates a voltage and applies the voltage to the process cartridge. The contact is switched an ON state and an OFF state based on a usage state of the process cartridge The electric line electrically connects the voltage applying unit to the process cartridge. The detection unit is electrically connected to the electric line via the contact and provides either one of a first detection output corresponding to the ON state and a second detection output corresponding to the OFF state. The control unit executes a determination process in a determination mode for determining the usage state of the process cartridge based on either one of the first detection output and the second detection output of the detection unit.

07-11-2013

20130084081

Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Determining a Condition of Cartridge Assembled Therein - An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a cartridge, and a CPU. The main casing includes a detection electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the detection electrode, and a moving member supported to the cartridge electrode. The moving member is movable from a first position where an electrical connection between the cartridge electrode and the detection electrode is interrupted to a third position where the electrical connection is interrupted via a second position where the electrical connection is established. The CPU is configured to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is new when the electrical connection is first interrupted, and established, and then interrupted in accordance with the movement of the moving member.

04-04-2013

20150055963

CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge includes: first and second cartridge constituent members assembled with each other; a memory for storing information on the cartridge; a color display member for displaying color information of a developer accommodated in the cartridge; first and second supporting portions provided on the first and second cartridge constituent members, wherein the first supporting portion is provided with a slit for permitting insertion of the memory, and the second supporting portion is provided with a slit for permitting insertion of the color display member; and first and second preventing portions provided on the other cartridge constituent member. When the first and second cartridge constituent members are assembled with each other, the first preventing portion prevents movement of the memory inserted in the first supporting portion, and the second preventing portion prevents movement of the color display member inserted in the second supporting portion.

02-26-2015

20140241736

Image Forming Apparatus Including Cartridge for Protecting Photosensitive Drum - An image forming apparatus includes a main body and a cartridge attached to the main body. The cartridge includes: a casing extending in a longitudinal direction; a photosensitive drum extending in the longitudinal direction; and a separating member that is detachably attached to the casing. The photosensitive drum has a peripheral surface and is positioned in confrontation with the endless belt as a result of attachment of the cartridge to the main body. The separating member is attached to the casing and separates the photosensitive drum from the endless belt when the main body is packaged while the cartridge is attached to the main body. The separating member includes first and second end portions disposed on both end portions of the casing, and a connecting portion connecting the first and second end portions and is configured to cover the peripheral surface.

08-28-2014

20100183319

Supply Item For Laser Printer including Keying Structure - Supply items, such as toner bottles for laser printers, include substantially identical housings amongst the many different colors of toners. To distinguish the items and prevent improper installation, a keying structure attaches per each bottle and is indexed relative to adjacent items. In one aspect, indexing includes rotating a knob of the keying structure about a central axis to provide different keying orientations to an imaging unit in the printer. During installation, users mate the knob with variously arranged channels in a wall defining a slot for receiving the bottles. A lengthy flange on the bottle mates with a lengthy slit of the wall to provide installation stability. Other embodiments contemplate delaying engagement of a shutter on the bottle that prevents the toner from communicating with the imaging unit until the mating of the keying structure is assuredly made relatively proper. This prevents inadvertent mixing of toner colors

07-22-2010

20150063834

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to and from which a process cartridge including a photosensitive member and a developing roller is attachable and detachable, a separation mechanism that takes a first position to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive member and a second position to bring the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive member, an allowance mechanism that allows the process cartridge with the developing roller kept in contact with the photosensitive member to be mounted on the mounting portion when the separation mechanism is in the first position, an exposure device, and a control unit, wherein, when the developing roller and the photosensitive member are in contact with each other when the separation mechanism is in the first position, the control unit performs an exposure operation while keeping the separation mechanism in the first position during an initial operation of the image forming apparatus.

03-05-2015

20150063833

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - When a toner cartridge is mounted to an image forming apparatus, if the toner cartridge is new, the image forming apparatus sets a value calculated from cartridge capacity as an initial value of a toner remaining amount. If, when the toner cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge is not new, the image forming apparatus sets a value calculated from a page count number as the initial value of the toner remaining amount. Furthermore, when the toner cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus acquires a sensor value, and if the acquired sensor value is an indefinite value, the image forming apparatus determines an alternative value according to sensor ability as the initial value of the toner remaining amount.

03-05-2015

20110243579

POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLY ASSEMBLY, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a powder containing compartment having a powder outlet connectable to a horizontally extending tube of an apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet in conjunction with installation of the powder container, and at least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged from the powder outlet thereof to the tube. A downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus, and at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion is unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container.

10-06-2011

20150117873

Cartridge and Image Forming Device - A cartridge for accommodating developer includes a detected member configured to be detected by an external first sensor, and a drive-force transmission member configured to transmit a drive force to the detected member upon receipt of the drive force from outside. The detected member is configured to rotate in a first direction about a first rotational axis extending in an axial direction. The detected member includes: a receiving part configured to contact the drive-force transmission member to receive the drive force therefrom; and a first detected part. A portion of the first detected part and a portion of the receiving part are arranged at the same position as each other in the axial direction.

04-30-2015

20130170845

Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Provided Therewith - A cartridge includes: a frame; a rotation body; a driving force transmission unit; a closing member; and a moving member. The frame is formed with a filling port for filling an internal space of the cartridge with a developing agent therethrough. The closing member is configured to close the filling port. The moving member is configured to be irreversibly moved to one of a covered position and an exposed position by an external driving force transmitted through the driving force transmission unit. The moving member covers at least a portion of the closing member when the moving member is at the covered position. The moving member exposes the closing member when the moving member is at the exposed position. The exposed position provides an exposing degree greater than that at the covered position.

CRUM CHIP, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE FOR VERIFYING CONSUMABLE UNIT COMPRISING THE CRUM CHIP, AND METHODS THEREOF - Provided herein is an image forming device including a main body; a consumable unit detachable from and attachable to the main body, and including a CRUM chip; a storage which stores a detection list including information on counterfeit CRUM chips and a conversion serial information list including a plurality of conversion serial information each of which is converted from serial information stored in the CRUM chip according to a plurality of different predetermined rules; and a controller to limit use of the consumable unit, when verifying the consumable unit based on at least one of the detection list and the conversion serial information list fails.

04-23-2015

20150093123

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes, a unit including at least a photosensitive member and a charging member detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, a current detection unit configured to detect a current flowing between the charging member and the photosensitive member, an operation unit configured to be operated by an operator to give an instruction to the image forming apparatus, a display unit provided in the operation unit, and a control unit configured to apply to the charging member a predetermined test voltage having an absolute value greater than a discharge starting voltage based on the instruction from the operation unit, and to perform an operation in a mode for causing the current detection unit to detect a current, wherein the control unit determines, based on the current detected in the mode, whether an error indication is to be given on the display unit.

04-02-2015

20150104200

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - A consumable component containing a consumable supply used at the time of image formation is detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image, a storage for storing identification information of the mounted consumable component, and a detecting unit for detecting remaining amount of the consumable supply. When removal and mounting of a consumable component is detected while the remaining amount of the consumable supply is not lower than a prescribed value (YES at step S

04-16-2015

20130129362

FUSER INCLUDING REPLACEMENT DETECTING FUNCTION - According to one embodiment, a fuser includes a fixing rotating section including a heat generating section, an opposed section configured to form a nip between the opposed section and the fixing rotating section, a first bimetal type thermostat disconnected by heat from the fixing rotating section to cut power supply to a heat generation source that causes the heat generation section to generate heat, and a second bimetal type thermostat present in a position different from the position of the first bimetal type thermostat in a rotating direction of the fixing rotating section and is disconnected by heat from the fixing rotating section to output an indication that the fixing rotating section is in use.

05-23-2013

20120275800

CUSTOMER REPLACEABLE UNIT MONITOR (CRUM) UNIT, REPLACEABLE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE CRUM UNIT, AND UNIT DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - A replaceable unit to participate in an image forming job of an image forming apparatus includes a storage unit to store therein a driving condition corresponding to an operation environment, a detecting unit to monitor the operation environment, a controlling unit to detect a corresponding driving condition from the storage unit if the detecting unit detects the driving environment, and an interface unit to provide a main body of the image forming apparatus with the detected corresponding driving condition. Accordingly, the replaceable unit can be driven under optimum driving conditions.

11-01-2012

20100098440

Custom Application Fuser Roller System - A fuser roller system, utilized with electrographic or xerographic copying or printing devices, multiple fuser rollers, each of which includes a machine readable device (MRD) having identification data. The system also includes at least one MRD reader and at least one computer having a database of fuser rollers. The system facilitates use of custom fuser rollers by determining what type of fuser roller is appropriate to run a print job. Then it is determined whether an appropriate fuser roller is installed in the copying or printing device. If an appropriate fuser roller is installed in the copying or printing device, the print job is directed to the device. If an appropriate fuser roller is not installed in the copying or printing device, the appropriate fuser roller is identified using the identification data stored in the MRD and installed in the device.

04-22-2010

20120134687

MULTIPLE MARKET CONSUMABLE ID DIFFERENTIATION AND VALIDATION SYSTEM - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided systems, computer readable media, and methods to authenticate a customer replaceable unit (CRU) in a printer system by comparing a validation code in the CRU with a printer generated validation code. The Validation Code is a string of numbers and/or characters that can be referred to as a value. The validation code will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The code is independently established by the printing system or device using the same algorithm and information and validates the resulting Code when they match. The printing system or device must confirm the Validation Code and ID applicability of the consumable to deem it appropriate for use.

05-31-2012

20120134686

CONSUMABLE ID DIFFERENTIATION AND VALIDATION SYSTEM WITH ON-BOARD PROCESSOR - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and systems for authenticating an imaging device consumer replaceable unit (CRU) used in products such as a printing system with appropriate programming such that they are able to positively recognize and accommodate authorized consumables. A microcontroller or processing chip is integrated with the CRU and capable of generating a Validation Code. A code key will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The resulting string key is a basis for an algorithm created Validation Code. This code is generated by the consumable processor and readable by a printing system or device the CRU is inserted into. The code is independently established by the printing system or device using the same algorithm and information and validates the resulting Code when they match. The printing system or device must confirm the Validation Code and ID applicability of the consumable to deem it appropriate for use.

05-31-2012

20150086222

Image Forming Device - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a cartridge configured to be mounted to and detached from the apparatus main body. The cartridge includes a rotating member which is configured to rotate and comprises a detected portion and a first engaging portion. The apparatus main body includes a detecting portion configured to detect the detected portion and a second engaging portion configured to engage with the first engaging portion. At least when the detecting portion detects the detected portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other by rotation of the rotating member.

03-26-2015

20110311238

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image under a control condition and including developing device; a toner cartridge configured to supply toner to the developing device; a measuring device configured to acquire measurement data; a first memory which is provided for the toner cartridge and includes a data reference destination for obtaining the control condition and a correction value of the control condition for standard data or a plurality of control data corresponding to the measurement data; a second memory configured to store the measurement data, the standard data, one of the correction value and the control data, and the obtained control condition; and a processing mechanism configured to read the standard data and the correction value, or the measurement data and the control data and to obtain the control condition.

12-22-2011

20160026138

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH DETACHABLE FIXING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device capable of managing a plurality of detachable fixing devices appropriately according to usages etc. A receiving unit receives a character string input through an operation screen. A storage unit stores the input character string in association with identification information about a fixing device. An obtaining unit obtains the identification information about the fixing device attached to the image forming apparatus. A display control unit displays the character string that is stored by the storage unit in association with the identification information obtained by the obtaining unit on a display unit.

01-28-2016

20120002983

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus comprises: a developing device having an outlet from which a two-component developer is partially discharged while the two-component developer is conveyed; a hopper to which (i) a first cartridge containing a first developer including carriers and (ii) a second cartridge containing a second developer including toner and not carriers are attachable, and operable, when the first cartridge is attached thereto, to supply the first developer to the developing device, and when the second cartridge is attached thereto, to supply the second developer to the developing device; and a switching part operable, when the first developer is supplied, to switch the developing device to a first state in which the two-component developer is partially discharged from the outlet, and when the second developer is supplied, to switch the developing device to a second state in which the two-component developer is not discharged from the outlet.

01-05-2012

20140056600

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus, a developer containing case containing a developer includes a first storage storing developer information indicating a composition of the developer. A developing part receives the developer from the developer containing case. An acquiring part acquires the developer information in the first storage, when the developer containing case is installed to an installed part. A decision part decides whether or not a composition of the developer in existing developer information in a second storage is different from another composition of the developer in newly acquired developer information. An electric charge amount measuring part measures an electric charge amount of the developer in the developing part. A developer replacement controlling part controls discharge and replenishment of the developer in the developing part on the basis of the measured electric charge amount, when the decision part decides that both the compositions are different.

02-27-2014

20120014700

REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives toner cartridge replacement information indicating a toner cartridge loaded on one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit has been replaced or needs to be replaced with a new one; a life information obtainer which obtains the life information of a consumable unit other than the toner cartridge causing the toner cartridge replacement information received by the receiver, a replacement consumable unit for which will be delivered to the same delivery address as a replacement toner cartridge for the toner cartridge causing the toner cartridge replacement information; a determiner which determines a right type of replacement toner cartridge for the toner cartridge causing the toner cartridge replacement information, based on the life information obtained by the life information obtainer; and a transmitter which outputs an instruction to deliver the right type of replacement toner cartridge determined by the determiner.

01-19-2012

20130077981

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus mounted with a toner cartridge having a memory unit includes a toner cartridge which stores a plurality of control data depending on toner in the memory unit, an acquisition unit which selects one of the plurality of control data in the memory unit and acquires image formation-related information and a setting unit which sets image formation parameters on the basis of the image formation-related information.

03-28-2013

20100172659

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof. The control method of an image forming apparatus includes mounting a cartridge including a status indicating element, determining whether the mounted cartridge is a new one based on identification information of the mounted cartridge and status information of the status indicating element, and performing initial settings with respect to the new cartridge if it is determined that the mounted cartridge is a new one. With this, it is possible to induce a user to use an authenticated cartridge and prevent an image from being deteriorated and a component from being worn due to use of a fraudulent cartridge.

07-08-2010

20090279904

Enhancing Mono Printing Speed on a Single Pass Color Laser Printer - A mono optimized color laser printer. The mono optimized color laser printer includes a provision in which mono toner cartridges may be inserted at each of four toner locations. The mono optimized color laser printer includes a mono optimization module which detects when mono toner cartridges are inserted into the four toner locations and controls printing so that each of the mono toner cartridges prints on about a quarter of a page. Such a mono optimized color laser printer reduces a time taken to transfer toner to the page to about a quarter that of a traditional color printer. Such a printer results in about a four times increase in printing speed for a mono print operation.

11-12-2009

20160139537

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, a developing device, a toner container, a toner feed connector, a processor, and a notifier. The developing device develops, with toner, a latent image on the latent image bearer. The toner container contains the toner. The toner container is detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus. The toner feed connector guides the toner of the toner container to the developing device. The information detector detects identification information including toner type information and maintenance contract information stored in the toner container. The processor determines whether the toner type information of the toner container coincides before and after replacement and whether the maintenance contract information of the toner container is matched with maintenance contract information of the image forming apparatus. The notifier indicates a determination made by the processor.

05-19-2016

20130051814

Cartridge Mountable on Image-Forming Apparatus - A receiving member is configured to receive a driving force from outside, is mounted on a first side wall on an opposite side from a developer accommodating portion, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction. A rotating member is rotatably provided between the first and second side walls, and configured to be rotated by the driving force received by the receiving member. A detection body is mounted on the second side wall on an opposite side from the developer accommodating portion and includes a detected part which is detected by a detecting unit. The detection body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second side wall by the driving force received by the receiving member.

02-28-2013

20130051815

Developing Cartridge Having Housing and Developing Roller - In a developing cartridge, a first supporting member is attached to a housing and has a first developing supporting portion and a driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion, the first developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a first part of a rotational shaft, the driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a driving-force-receiving member. The second supporting member is attached to the housing and has a second developing supporting portion and a detection-rotational-body supporting portion, the second developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a second part of the rotational shaft, the detection-rotational-body supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a detection rotational body.

02-28-2013

20160124365

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGE MANAGING METHOD - Provided is an image forming apparatus and a consumable cartridge managing method including a read/write part to read/write an information piece from/to the IC tag and a control part having a memory part on which a first apparatus intrinsic number is written. The control part determines whether or not a second apparatus intrinsic number is written on a use history region of the memory when the consumable cartridge is loaded. If the result is No, the control part writes the first apparatus number on the use history region and records additionally the first intrinsic number as the second apparatus intrinsic number on a replacement history region/loading history region of the memory part. If the result is Yes, the control part records additionally the second apparatus intrinsic number on the replacement history region/loading region of the memory part.

05-05-2016

20130163998

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, DETACHABLE UNIT, AND PLURAL DETACHABLE UNITS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that is to be detachably attached by a detachable unit, wherein the detachable unit includes a unit side connector that fits a main body side connector disposed in a main body of the image forming apparatus by an attaching operation for attaching the detachable unit to the main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein one of the detachable unit and the main body of the image forming apparatus includes a concave portion extended in an attaching direction in which the detachable unit is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and wherein the other one of the detachable unit and the main body of the image forming apparatus includes a convex portion disposed at a position corresponding to the concave portion.

06-27-2013

20160139538

TONER CARTRIDGE WITH MEMORY FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus includes a memory storing identification data of the toner cartridge and parameter information including image formation process parameters dependent on toner characteristic or ambient conditions. A transceiver unit communicates with the image forming apparatus to send the process parameter information stored in the memory to the image forming apparatus when the identification data is authentic.

05-19-2016

20130011145

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a determining section, an acquiring section, and a removal capability increasing section. The image carrier unit includes an image carrier and a cleaning member, and has a lubricant in the area of the cleaning member that contacts the image carrier when the image carrier unit is in an unused condition. The determining section determines whether or not the image carrier unit is unused. The acquiring section acquires the elapsed time since manufacture of the image carrier unit. The removal capability increasing section increases the removal capability for removing the lubricant from the surface of the image carrier by the cleaning member, in a case where it is determined that the image carrier unit is unused and the acquired elapsed time is equal to or more than a predetermined time, in comparison to other cases.

01-10-2013

20130223853

CARTRIDGE - A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a recording material, the cartridge includes: a frame for accommodating a developer; and a discriminating member molded of a material having a similar color to a color of the developer. The discriminating member is marked with discriminating information for discriminating the cartridge.

08-29-2013

20150037050

REMOVABLE DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A removable device is removably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body. The removable device includes an information storage device, a holder, and a low frictional structure. The information storage device includes: an information storage unit that stores information to be communicated between the apparatus main body and the removable device; a terminal to be contacted with an apparatus main-body terminal, for communicating information with the apparatus main body; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and that includes a guide to be fitted to a protrusion provided on the apparatus main body. The holder holds the substrate such that the substrate can move, when the removable device approaches the apparatus main-body terminal, on a virtual plane intersecting with a moving direction of the removable device. The low frictional structure is arranged on a contact area between the substrate and the holder.

02-05-2015

20120020679

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion capable of mounting a plurality of first image forming units for forming images in different colors or a plurality of second image forming units for forming images in a single color. The first image forming units and the second image forming units are arranged to be exchangeable. The first image forming units retain toner in different colors, and the second image forming units retain toner in the single color. The image forming apparatus further includes a preference control unit for leaving at least one of the second image forming units unused and preferentially using rest of the second image forming units when the first image forming units are exchanged to the second image forming units in a monochrome printing operation.

01-26-2012

20100135679

CARTRIDGE FOR USE IN PRINTER FOR PRINTING CODED DATA - A cartridge including identifier data that is indicative of a plurality of globally unique identifiers. The cartridge is configured for use in a printer capable of printing machine-readable coded data onto a surface. The printer has an interface for receiving the cartridge, a reader for reading the identifier data, a coded data generator and a printhead. The coded data generator is configured for allocating a globally unique identifier from the identifier data and generating coded data on the basis of the allocated identifier. The coded data includes a machine-readable pattern of coded data identifying a unique region identity for association with a substrate to be printed.

Cartridge Having Detection Body - In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS TO DISCRIMINATE TONER CARTRIDGE - According to one embodiment, a toner cartridge includes a toner container to be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus body, a shutter to open and close a toner supply port of the toner container, and a key that indicates a type of the toner cartridge and allows the shutter to slide if the key coincides with a release part of the image forming apparatus body.

05-03-2012

20150293472

Image Forming Apparatus Having Cartridge Detachably Mounted Therein - In an image forming apparatus, a sensing body is disposed at a first position when a cartridge has been removed from an apparatus body, is disposed at a second position when a first part of the sensing body contacts a housing of the cartridge that has been mounted in the apparatus body, and is disposed at a third position when a second part of the sensing body contacts a movable member of the cartridge that has been mounted in the apparatus body. A judging unit determines that the cartridge has been removed from the apparatus body if the sensing body is at the first position, determines that the cartridge has been mounted in the apparatus body if the sensing body is at the second position, and determines that the cartridge is a new product if the sensing body is at the third position.

10-15-2015

20130230330

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes: a cartridge, detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, including a memory and an image forming process member actable on an image bearing member; and current detecting portion, provided in the main assembly, for detecting a value of current passing through the process member. The current detecting portion detects the value of the current passing through the process member when a voltage is applied to the process member, and the memory stores information for discriminating a state of the process member on the basis of the detected value of the current.

09-05-2013

20150086223

Image Forming Apparatus and Method of Manufacturing the Same - An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to perform operations including: controlling an exposing unit to expose a first ratio to a full scan width and thus to form a first exposed section, and to expose a second ratio smaller than the first ratio thus to form a second exposed section, controlling a detecting member to acquire: a first voltage in a case where a first test current flows in the first exposed section; a second voltage in a case where the first test current flows in the second exposed section; a third voltage in a case where a second test current larger than the first test current flows in the first exposed section; and a fourth voltage in a case where the second test current flows in the second exposed section; and identifying the photosensitive member based on the first to fourth voltages.

03-26-2015

20130170846

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus capable of reading a unique pattern of a toner bottle without using an expensive device, and of preventing the delay of the toner replenishment. A control unit controls a driving unit to rotate a toner bottle for replenishing toner and controls a reading unit to read a unique pattern of the toner bottle in conjunction with the rotation of the toner bottle, when receiving a toner replenishment signal in N-th time from a toner remaining amount detection unit after receiving the bottle detection signal from a bottle mounting detection unit.

07-04-2013

20130170844

Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Provided Therewith - A cartridge includes: a frame; a rotation body; a driving force transmission unit; and a moving member. The rotation body is provided at the frame and rotatable about its rotation axis relative to the frame. The driving force transmission unit is provided at the frame and transmits an external driving force to the rotation body. The moving member is irreversibly movable to one of a covered position and an exposed position by the external driving force transmitted through the driving force transmission unit. The moving member covers at least a portion of the driving force transmission unit when the moving member is at the covered position. The moving member exposes the driving force transmission unit when the moving member is at the exposed position. The exposed position provides an exposing degree greater than that at the covered position.

07-04-2013

20120155891

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit with a supply roller that supplies toner to a developing roller located such that of a contact region between the developing roller and the supply roller, the uppermost stream position in the rotating direction of the supply roller during image formation is located higher than the lowermost stream position, wherein the supply roller rotates in a reverse direction during image formation if the developing unit is new.

06-21-2012

20120002982

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - Certain embodiment provide an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form, if a toner cartridge used in single-color printing is a non-genuine product or if at least one of plural toner cartridges used in plural-color printing is a non-genuine product and the plural-color printing is selected, a copy image in an image quality priority mode for executing, at a frequency higher than that in a normal mode, image quality maintenance control for maintaining the copy image in desired image quality.

01-05-2012

20130142523

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A image forming apparatus includes: a motor; a mounting unit for receiving a cartridge including a detection target moved by a rotational driving force of the motor; a printing unit; a detecting unit for detecting the detection target at a detection position on a movement trajectory of the detection target; and a control unit for controlling the motor and the detecting unit. The control unit performs: a rotation control process of: accelerating the motor; rotating the motor at a constant speed in a time period when accelerating a rotational speed of the motor up to a target speed; detecting the detection target by the detecting unit while the motor rotates at the constant speed; and accelerating again the motor after completing the detection; and a determining process of determining a kind and/or a state of the cartridge on the basis of the detection result of the detecting unit.

06-06-2013

20120014701

REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus is provided with: a receiver which receives toner cartridge replacement information indicating a toner cartridge loaded on an image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit, has been replaced with a new one; an information obtainer which obtains remaining toner information of the toner cartridge removed from the image forming apparatus, when the toner cartridge replacement information is received by the receiver; a time determiner which, if the remaining toner information obtained by the information obtainer indicates a value smaller than a predetermined value, determines that an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge should be outputted when the toner cartridge replacement information is received, or if the remaining toner information indicates a value larger than or equal to a predetermined value, determines that an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge should be outputted at a different time; and a transmitter which outputs a delivery instruction according to the determination made by the time determiner.

01-19-2012

20120020678

EMPTY BOTTLE DETECTION USING A ONE TIME FOIL SEAL - An image forming apparatus comprises a controller that stores instructions, which cause the image forming apparatus to determine a characteristic measurement in response to a toner cartridge being partially inserted into the image forming apparatus. A pair of spaced apart sensors included on the image forming apparatus each contact an outer cross-sectional surface of a film on a delivery aperture of the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes an auger having at least one sensor for conducting a characteristic measurement on the film. The characteristic measurement corresponds to criteria programmed in the image forming apparatus for determining if the toner cartridge has a full toner level or a partially full (or low) toner level.

01-26-2012

20120027423

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus is provided with: an obtainer which obtains first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer; an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; a detector which detects a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and a fusing processor which performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detector's detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion.

02-02-2012

20120027422

Image Forming Device Capable of Preventing Foreign Matters From Entering Developing Unit - An image forming device includes a support member movable between an accommodated position within a main casing and a pulled-out position outside the main casing, developing units, toner cartridges, and a cover member. Each toner cartridge includes a casing and a shutter. The casing accommodates toner therein and is formed with an opening for supplying the toner to the corresponding developing unit. The opening faces in a first direction when the toner cartridge is accommodated in a corresponding cartridge accommodating section in the support member. The shutter is movable between an opening position for exposing the opening and a closing position for closing the opening. The cover member is movable between an opening posture for exposing a first side of the corresponding cartridge accommodating section in the first direction and a closing posture for opposing the first side of the corresponding cartridge accommodating section.

02-02-2012

20130163999

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a holding unit configured to change a developing device to first and second orientations. Whether a developer in the developing device is unevenly distributed in a longitudinal direction of the developing device is detected based on a capacitance C1 between first and second electrode members in the first orientation and a capacitance C2 between the first and second electrode members in the second orientation.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of reducing possibility that small symbols and characters become invisible without impairing user's convenience even in the case of using a nongenuine replacement part. An image forming apparatus (

08-21-2014

20140212151

REPLACEABLE UNIT, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT INCORPORATES THE REPLACEABLE UNIT AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A PART TO THE REPLACEABLE UNIT - A replaceable unit is removably inserted into an apparatus. An installation detecting board has a first edge, a second edge a third edge, and a fourth edge. The first edge is located on a side of the installation detecting board opposite the second edge. The third edge is located on a side of the installation detecting board opposite the fourth edge. The replaceable unit has a body in which a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion are formed. The first and second positioning portion are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the replaceable unit such that the first positioning portion abuts the first edge and the second positioning portion abuts the second edge. A retainer is mounted on the body, and abuts at least one of the third edge and the fourth edge to prevent the installation detecting board from moving relative to the body.

07-31-2014

20110085806

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a controller on the apparatus body to control supply of developers from developer containers to the development devices. The controller includes a storage that reads and stores identification information pieces of all the development devices attached to the apparatus body. When any of the development devices is removed from the apparatus body, and thereafter attached at a position where the removal took place, the controller reads an identification information piece of the development device attached at the position, and when the read identification information piece disagrees with an identification information piece of the development device at the position stored, and agrees with an identification information piece of another one of the development devices at another position, the controller determines that the development device is mistakenly attached and prohibits the supply of the corresponding developers.

04-14-2011

20120106986

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, TONER CONTAINER USED IN THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING SUITABILITY OF TONER CONTAINER - An image forming apparatus is configured to receive supply of toner from a toner container. The toner container contains the toner and is rotated to supply the toner. The image forming apparatus includes a developer, a container mountable unit, a toner detector, a rotation counter, and a controller. The developer develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using the toner. To the container mountable unit, the toner container is exchangeably mounted. The toner detector detects an amount of the toner supplied from the toner container. The rotation counter counts a number of rotations of the toner container during the supply of the toner. The controller determines whether the toner container is suitable for the image forming apparatus based on a result of detection by the toner detector and based on a result of counting by the rotation counter.

05-03-2012

20120163836

Image-Forming Apparatus - An image-forming apparatus for forming an image using toner contained in a toner cartridge, genuineness of the toner cartridge with or without a memory device is verified. A counter counts a value concerning image formation. A cartridge detector determines the presence or absence of the toner cartridge. A reader is configured to retrieve data from a memory device if any provided in the toner cartridge. A controller is configured to exercise two types of control. If the cartridge detector determines that the toner cartridge is present, the value counted by the counter is greater than a predetermined value, and the reader has failed retrieval of predetermined data, then a first type of control conformable to a toner cartridge other than a genuine toner cartridge is exercised. Otherwise, a second type of control conformable to the genuine toner cartridge is exercised.

06-28-2012

20140105618

Fuser Assembly and Method for Controlling Fuser Operations Based Upon Fuser Component Attributes - A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device, the fuser assembly including an integrated circuit chip having memory which has stored therein attribute data. The memory provides the attribute data for use in controlling the fuser assembly during fusing operations throughout the life of the fuser assembly. The attribute data includes a table of values corresponding to fusing temperatures for the fuser assembly, the fusing temperatures decreasing throughout the life of the fuser assembly to account for aging or wear of at least one component of the fuser assembly.

04-17-2014

20110293294

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a detection unit that detects, regarding a toner supply device loaded into an installation space of an apparatus main body, a type of the toner supply device or detects improper loading of the toner supply device and a notification unit that notifies loading of the toner supply device of a wrong type or improper loading of the toner supply device based on a result of detection by the detection unit.

12-01-2011

20100028026

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum having a high-lubricity state layer. In an initial rotation operation performed after mounting a process cartridge, in a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a process cartridge in which lubricating particles are not applied in a contact area between a fresh cleaning blade and the photosensitive drum, toner is supplied only by application of a developing bias after the photosensitive drum and a developing sleeve are driven to supply and stagnate the toner in the contact area between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive drum.

02-04-2010

20110311239

REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REPLACEMENT TONER CARTRIDGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUMS - A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus comprising: a remaining toner information obtainer that obtains remaining toner information of a toner cartridge loaded on an image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit; a life information obtainer that obtains life information of an expendable item for image forming which receives toner supply from the toner cartridge loaded on the image forming apparatus, when there is a need to replace a toner cartridge, based on the remaining toner information obtained by the remaining toner information obtainer; a determiner that determines a right type of replacement toner cartridge based on the life information obtained by the life information obtainer; and an output portion that outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner.

12-22-2011

20110299860

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TONER REFILLING METHOD THEREFOR - In a new printer, a toner cartridge is mounted in the state where there is no toner in a reserve tank, and toner of the amount of filling toner D therein is supplied with the amount of full accommodation toner E for filling up the reserve tank by a toner supply mechanism. The toner of the amount of remaining surplus toner F remains in the toner cartridge. The amount of toner consumption G is measured by a dot counter during a printing execution. In the case where a toner density sensor detects a toner decreasing, the toner is supplied to a developing unit from the reserve tank. When it becomes G>F, it display-informs a user of “toner cartridge exchange is allowed”. Hereby, it enables to exchange the toner cartridge without stopping operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus using a two-component developer.

12-08-2011

20120093523

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus to which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mountable, the cartridges each having a cartridge side identification portion, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of mounting portions to which the cartridges are demountably mountable; and a identification urging means, provided in each of the mounting portions, for permitting a cartridge to be mounted to the mounting portion when the cartridge is properly to be mounted to the mounting portion on the basis of correspondence with the cartridge side identification portion, and for urging the cartridge in a direction opposite a direction in which the cartridge is mounted when the cartridge is improper for the mounting portion.

04-19-2012

20140356004

DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESSING UNIT, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING DEVELOPER CONTAINER - A developer container includes: a container body that stores a developer and includes a filling port for the developer; and a container terminal that is attachable to and detachable from the container body. The container body is provided with an identifier that engages with the container terminal and is caused to change own form that can be identified from an outside, by an external force that is applied to detach the container terminal from the container body. The container body is provided with a flow preparation part that separates an inside and outside of the container body before changing the form of the identifier and that allows the air to flow between the inside and outside of the container body after changing the form of the identifier.

12-04-2014

20150316873

Systems, Methods and Apparatuses for Authorized Use and Refill of a Printer Cartridge - The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a circuit with permanently and irreversibly changeable state and circuit components configured to receive and process a first message, and receive a second message. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material. The circuit components may be further configured to ignore the second command if the circuit has permanently and irreversibly changed its state to prevent responding to requests to increase the number tracking amount of dispensable material.

11-05-2015

20110305465

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming section configured to form an image and output the image to a medium, at least one or more detachable consumables including storage media having predetermined information stored therein, a reading module configured to read the predetermined information from the storage media, and a controller configured to output, if the image forming apparatus is instructed to start a predetermined operation and the controller determines that the predetermined information is not present in a storage medium of a consumable related to the operation, a message for urging a user to input an instruction for executing a process for extracting an image forming condition corresponding to the consumable and, if an instruction for executing the process is input, start the predetermined operation after executing operation for extracting a condition for forming an image.

12-15-2011

20140376931

NETWORK PRINTER SYSTEM - Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield.

12-25-2014

20110318022

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a developing device, a toner cartridge to store toner supplied to the developing device, a first memory which is provided in the toner cartridge and in which characteristic data of the toner is written, a detection mechanism to detect a parameter to influence toner cohesion, a second memory to store the detected parameter, and an arithmetic control mechanism to determine a use limit of the toner cartridge based on the characteristic data and the parameter.

12-29-2011

20140147133

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - The image forming apparatus sequentially displays, based on the identification code stored in the storage unit, an image showing an operational procedure necessary to clear the maintenance event and then an image that prompts to close a cover corresponding to the maintenance event, on a display unit. The identification code stored in the storage unit is deleted in a case where the maintenance event is cleared. The image forming apparatus displays an image that prompts to close the cover, without displaying an image showing an operational procedure necessary to clear the maintenance event identified with the identification code, in a case where the identification code is stored in the storage unit at the time of start of the image forming apparatus.

05-29-2014

20110274443

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a developing device; a toner cartridge configured to supply a toner to the developing device; a toner supply agitating mechanism including a drive mechanism, and the toner supply agitating mechanism configured to agitate and to supply the toner in the toner cartridge; a load detection mechanism configured to detect a load of the drive mechanism; and an arithmetic control mechanism configured to control the drive mechanism based on the detected load, and the arithmetic control mechanism configured to execute a toner supply operation from the toner cartridge to the developing device.

11-10-2011

20110229154

Consumable unit and image forming apparatus for controlling the same - A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable include a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times.

09-22-2011

20110142459

RECORDING MEDIUM DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The timing of obtaining an output value for use in a determination of a recording medium is generated from a received ultrasonic wave and a waveform generated by delaying the ultrasonic wave, whereby it is possible to reduce an influence of a reflection wave from the peripheral members and an influence of a change in the environment to improve the accuracy of determination of the recoding medium.

06-16-2011

20110064423

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTACT-CORROSION PREVENTION METHOD PERFORMED BY SAME - A main body of an image forming apparatus includes a switching circuit provided for switching between a normal current which should be applied at a time of normal operation and a contact-corrosion preventing current which is set larger than the normal current. Each of the currents is to be applied to an imaging unit through the contacts between the main body and the imaging unit. A control section controls the switching circuit so as to temporarily switch from the normal current to the contact-corrosion preventing current at specified timing.

03-17-2011

20150301495

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An object of the present invention is to maintain image quality in a configuration in which a lubricant is coated on a developing roller. An image forming apparatus detachably includes a process cartridge including an image bearing member and a developer bearing member that bears developer. A lubricant of a polarity opposite to a polarity of the developer is coated on the developer bearing member. When the process cartridge is new, a discharging operation of discharging the lubricant from a surface of the developer bearing member onto the image bearing member is performed.

10-22-2015

20120243884

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, FAILURE INFORMATION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND FAILURE INFORMATION NOTIFICATION METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a storage medium which stores manufacture information to a consumable supply; a reading unit which reads information in the storage medium; a communication control unit which receives failure information of the consumable supply; a display unit which displays information; and a control unit which receives the failure information of the consumable supply by the communication control unit, then determines whether a consumable supply in use is equivalent to a failed consumable supply or not, and performs control to display the failure information on the display unit when the consumable supply is determined as equivalent to the failed consumable supply.

09-27-2012

20130216243

TONER REPLENISHING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS DETACHABLY PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A toner replenishing container includes a storage chamber, a hole and an identification member. The storage chamber stores a toner for replenishment. The hole is engaged with the toner replenishing container identifying portion of the mounting portion when the toner replenishing container is mounted on the mounting portion, is formed at a predetermined position on a front surface of the toner replenishing container in a mounting direction, and has a polygonal cross-section. The identification member is detachably inserted into the hole in a form corresponding to the polygonal shape of the hole when an orientation of the identification member is rotated about a center line of the hole.

08-22-2013

20150139668

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus includes a process unit, a latent image writer, a power source, and a controller. The process unit is detachably attachable relative to the image forming apparatus and includes, as a single integrated unit, a latent image bearing member to bear a latent image on a surface thereof, a charging device to charge the surface of the latent image bearing member, and a development device to develop the latent image with toner. The controller causes the power source to output a charging bias at a predetermined target level supplied to the charging device. The process unit includes a first storage device to store correction information for calculating the predetermined target level of the charging bias in accordance with a combination of the latent image bearing member and the charging device. The controller corrects the predetermined target level based on the correction information in the first storage device.

05-21-2015

20130136460

Cartridge Provided With Pivotable Member for New Product Detection - A cartridge includes: a casing for accommodating developer; a rotatable body rotatably provided at the casing; a pivot member; and a biasing member. The rotatable body is rotatable about a rotational axis, the rotatable body having an outer circumference defining a rotational path during rotation. The pivot member is disposed at the rotatable body at a position offset from the rotational axis and is pivotable about a pivot fulcrum extending in a direction parallel to a tangential direction of the rotational path. The pivot member being pivotably movable between an erect position in which the pivot member erects to form a first angle relative to the rotatable body and a collapsed position in which the pivot member pivots toward the rotatable body to form a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the rotational body. The biasing member biases the pivot member toward the erect position.

05-30-2013

20150309441

TONER CARTRIDGE WITH MEMORY FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus mounted with a toner cartridge having a memory unit includes a toner cartridge which stores a plurality of control data depending on toner in the memory unit, an acquisition unit which selects one of the plurality of control data in the memory unit and acquires image formation-related information and a setting unit which sets image formation parameters on the basis of the image formation-related information.

10-29-2015

20150378293

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus with a first printing device configured to carry out printing with a non-decolorable recording material, second printing device configured to carry out printing with a decolorable recording material, the color of which is same or same color system of the color of the non-decolorable recording material; and an identification mark adding section configured to add, to a record receiving member printed by at least one of the first printing device and the second printing device, an identification mark indicating which one of the first and second printing devices is used for printing.

12-31-2015

20100054763

PROCESSING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A processing unit according to this invention includes a photosensitive drum, an initial detection gear, a rotation stop, and a stopper arm. The photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. The initial detection gear is a member which is rotatable in a manner linked to rotation of the photoreceptor for identifying the processing unit as a new one or an old one. The rotation stop is provided on the photosensitive drum. The stopper arm is engageable with the rotation stop.

03-04-2010

20140099131

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, NETWORK SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SAME AND METHOD OF MANAGING PART INFORMATION OF THE SAME - An image forming apparatus, a network system including the same and a management method of parts information of the same capable of matching specific information of an exchangeable part with specific information of the image forming apparatus when the specific information of the exchangeable part is not identical that of the image forming apparatus, is provided. It is determined whether the specific information of the image forming apparatus is identical to that of the exchangeable part. If the specific information of the image forming apparatus is not identical to that of the exchangeable part, at least one specific information of the image forming apparatus or the exchangeable part is changed such that the specific information is identical.

04-10-2014

20110243578

CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus which includes a main body, a driving unit and a detecting unit, includes: a housing that is configured to accommodate a developer therein, and includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to the first side wall in a longitudinal direction; a passive unit that is configured to receive a driving force from the driving unit, is mounted on the first side wall, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction; and a detected body mounted on the first side wall and including a detected part which is detected by the detecting unit. The detected body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall by the driving force received by the passive unit.

10-06-2011

20140169803

PRINTER APPARATUS AND SECURITY METHOD USED FOR THE SAME - The present invention relates to a printer apparatus and a security method used for the same. The present invention can store a plurality of printer security algorithms in a printer, and stores a plurality of toner security algorithms corresponding to the respective printer security algorithms, and can replace security algorithms that are applied to the printer and toner either periodically or at an arbitrary time.

06-19-2014

20140178082

HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY WITHOUT OUTPUT VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT, METHOD OF ADJUSTING OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF THE HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE METHOD - A high voltage power supply (HVPS) without an output voltage adjustment, a method of adjusting an output voltage of a HVPS, and an image forming apparatus using the method are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a high-voltage output unit that outputs a high voltage produced by the HVPS, a tag that stores an offset voltage information and is attached to the HVPS, and a high-voltage output control unit that reads the tag attached to the HVPS to extract the offset voltage information, and corrects a high-voltage output control signal by using the offset voltage information to change the high voltage output by the high-voltage output unit. Accordingly, a process of adjusting an output voltage of an HVPS as a single component is not required. The manufacturing costs of HVPSs are reduced, and the process of finely adjusting an output voltage of the HVPS is simplified.

06-26-2014

20140086597

CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge includes: a memory portion; a substrate having the memory portion and an electrical contact; a support portion for supporting the substrate with the electrical contact being exposed; a first movement regulation portion configured to regulate the movement of the substrate ; and a second movement regulation portion configured to regulate the movement of the substrate, wherein the movement regulation direction in which the movement of the substrate is regulated by the second movement regulation portion is the same as the movement regulation direction in which the movement of the substrate is regulated by the first movement regulation portion, and wherein the movement regulation distance that the movement of the substrate is regulated by the second movement regulation portion is shorter than or equal to the movement regulation distance that the movement of the substrate is regulated by the first movement regulation portion.

03-27-2014

20140086596

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An improved image forming apparatus is described which can inhibit the quality of printed images from being degraded. A control unit performs a steering operation to shift an intermediate transfer belt toward a target belt position by controlling the inclination angle of a steering roller. Also, a memory stores the inclination angle of the steering roller in association with the operational states of rotary members facing the intermediate transfer belt. The control unit updates the values stored in the memory with an update value. When the result of detecting the belt edges indicate that the intermediate transfer belt falls in a predetermined range around the target belt position during the steering operation, the control unit determines the update value on the basis of the steering duration time and the inclination angle of the steering roller.

03-27-2014

20140023384

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes image forming devices which each forms a developer image on a latent image carrier, transfers the developer image onto an intermediate transfer member, and cleans the latent image carrier by using a plate-shaped cleaning member, the intermediate transfer body, and a controller. The developer used in one of the image forming devices is a low-electrostatic-propensity developer having an electrification performance lower than those of the developers used in the other image forming devices. The controller has a control mode for executing a supply operation in which the low-electrostatic-propensity developer used in the one of the image forming devices is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body and at least a part of the low-electrostatic-propensity developer is reversely transferred onto the latent image carriers of the other image forming devices and caused to reach the respective plate-shaped cleaning members.

01-23-2014

20140056599

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND DETECTING UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION SIGNATURES FOR CUSTOMER REPLACEABLE UNITS IN IMAGE FORMING DEVICES - A system and method are provided for generating and detecting unique identification signatures for customer replaceable components or units (CRUs) for use in customer owned and/or controlled image forming devices. The disclosed systems and methods employ characteristics and circuitry of the CRU itself to avoid sole dependence on the information provided in ac electronically-readable monitoring module to provide security against fraud and to provide compatibility matching. An uncharacteristic operating signature may be introduced in a non-functional zone of an operating parameter including one or more voltage spikes of a specified amplitude and duration. Comparing the voltage spikes to a set of predetermined profiles provides identification for the CRU. A unique automated, machine-readable manner by which to identify a CRU is provided that does not require an externally-readable monitoring module or any other identifying label to be mounted on, or otherwise associated with, the CRU.

02-27-2014

20120243883

Device and method for detecting position of unit mounted in image forming apparatus - A developing unit mountable to an image forming apparatus having mounting slots is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a first mounting slot for mounting a yellow toner developing unit, a second mounting slot for mounting a magenta toner developing unit, a third mounting slot for mounting a black toner developing unit and a fourth mounting slot for mounting a cyan toner developing unit. The image forming apparatus is capable of determining whether a developing unit with a specific color toner is mounted to a proper one of the mounting slots.

09-27-2012

20120243882

DEVELOPER STORAGE UNIT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING RECYCLING PRODUCT - A developer storage unit includes first and second rotary members. The first rotary member includes: first contacting portion capable of contacting with the second rotary member, first non-contacting portion not in contact with the second rotary member, and first stopper portion offset from the first contacting portion in an axial direction of the first rotary member. The second rotary member includes: second contacting portion capable of contacting with the first rotary member, second non-contacting portion not in contact with the first rotary member, second stopper portion offset from the second contacting portion in an axial direction of the second rotary member, and detected portion detected by detector. The second stopper portion comes into contact with the first stopper portion when the detected portion is moved from used product detecting position to new product detecting position while the first non-contacting portion is positioned to face the second rotary member.

09-27-2012

20160070220

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an optical detecting device; a movable unit including a rotatable member having a first light-blocking surface and a second light-blocking surface; and a control unit. The movable unit rotates with rotation of the rotatable member so that the second light-blocking surface is movable to a first position where the optical detecting device is light-blocked and a second position where the optical detecting device is not light-blocked, and includes a locking member for locking the second light-blocking surface in the second position. When the first and second light-blocking surfaces pass through a detecting portion of the optical detecting device, the control unit discriminates a state of the movable unit on the basis of a detection result of the optical detecting device.

03-10-2016

20120288287

LOCKOUT DEVICE AND AN INDICATOR TO ENSURE THAT THE CORRECT CONSUMABLE IS REPLACED IN A PRINTING DEVICE - According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of replenishing at least one consumable in a printer system having at least one channel with a lockout device and an indicator. The embodiments incorporate a solenoid latch on the channel, a channel closed switch and an attention light. When a consumable needs to be replaced, the user scans the new consumable label against a CRUM reader. If it is valid consumable for the printing system, the attention light above the low or empty channel is lit and its solenoid latch is released. The attention light and solenoid latch would be wired in parallel so that whenever the solenoid is energized to allow the channel to be opened, the attention light will illuminate.

11-15-2012

20110217051

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND GENUINE PRODUCT DETERMINING METHOD FOR TONER CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus includes: a loading unit on which a toner cartridge is loaded, the toner cartridge having a first storage unit in which first information indicating at least a date of manufacture of toner is stored; an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet; a counting unit which counts time; and a determination unit which determines whether the toner cartridge is a genuine product or not, based on how large a difference is between the first information and second information specified on the basis of a count result from the counting unit.

09-08-2011

20110129238

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF ADMINISTRATING REPLACEMENT COMPONENT - An image processing apparatus is capable of using a replacement component. The image processing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing self apparatus identification information; an obtaining unit for obtaining component apparatus identification information registered in a data carrier disposed in the replacement component; and a control unit. The control unit includes a first comparing unit for comparing the self apparatus identification information stored in the storage unit with the component apparatus identification information obtained with the obtaining unit; a determining unit for determining that the replacement component is allowed to use when the self apparatus identification information matches the component apparatus identification information.

06-02-2011

20110255881

Image forming apparatus and structure for installing consumables thereof - A structure for installing consumables of an image forming apparatus, the structure comprising: a frame; a plurality of consumables which comprises irregular installation preventing units in different locations; a plurality of irregular installation preventing keys which prevents an irregular installation of the plurality of consumables by an interaction with the irregular installation preventing units; and an installation guide member which is installed in the frame, comprising a key installation unit to guide the plurality of irregular installation preventing keys to be installed differently for each of the consumables and having the plurality of consumables installed therein.

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, the image processing apparatus has a sheet feeding unit that feeds sheets for printing thereon, an image forming section that forms a developer image, including a developer supply section for supplying a developer a identification element that stores image forming information containing information about whether the accommodated developer is an erasable developer and arranged in the developer supply section, a identification element detecting unit that reads the image forming information from the identification element, and a control section that forms the image on the basis of the image forming information read from the identification element.

09-12-2013

20110236037

HEATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A heating device includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member revolving in contact with the first rotating member. The second rotating member heats a passing recording medium having a toner image and held between the first and second rotating members, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording medium. The heating device further includes a pair of supporting plates supporting the first and second rotating members by being arranged on both sides across the first and second rotating members in a width direction crossing the passing direction of the recording medium. The supporting plates each have a tabular section with a first surface facing the first and second rotating members. The heating device further includes a resistance element arranged on a second surface side opposite to the first surface of the tabular section, and representing the type of a fixing device by using resistance.

09-29-2011

20110236036

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit which fixes an unfixed toner image retained onto a recording medium by at least heat while moving the recording medium; a setting unit which sets a plurality of levels of fixing condition in the fixing unit in accordance with user's desire; and a changing unit which changes at least one of temperature with which the recording medium is heated by the fixing unit and speed with which the recording medium is moved by the fixing unit, in accordance with the level of fixing condition set by the setting unit.

09-29-2011

20110211850

Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including: a toner cartridge including a memory to provide first authentication information, and an authentication key circuit to provide a second authentication information; and a controller to authenticate the toner cartridge when the first authentication information and the second authentication information are identical. Furthermore, the controller intentionally destroys the first authentication information or the second authentication information when there is no toner in the toner cartridge. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized use of the toner cartridge, and thus to perform an ideal print operation.

09-01-2011

20110200340

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing cartridges including respective toner accommodating portions for accommodating toners for forming an image on the image bearing member; a discriminating portion for discriminating color of the toner accommodated in each of the plurality of developing cartridges; a controller capable of controlling an image forming operation in a state in which the developing cartridges, of the plurality of developing cartridges, accommodating the toners of the same color are mounted; and a storing portion for storing lifetime information of the plurality of developing cartridges, respectively. When the developing cartridges accommodating the toners of the same color are mounted, the controller determines the developing cartridge, of the developing cartridges accommodating the toners of the same color, to be used for performing the image forming operation, on the basis of the lifetime information.

08-18-2011

20110182594

IMAGE FORMING DEVICE WITH MOUNTED REPLACEABLE UNIT, METHOD OF CHECKING OPERATION IN THAT IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING OPERATION CHECKING PROGRAM DIRECTED TO THAT IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - When a unit containing a fuse is mounted, in response to detection of a potential indicating that the fuse has not been blown by a detection circuit, a current for blowing the fuse is supplied from a blowing circuit to the mounted unit containing the fuse, and operation of the blowing circuit is checked based on potentials detected by the detection circuit before current supply and after current supply, respectively. When a unit containing a non-blown component instead of a fuse is mounted, a current is supplied from the blowing circuit to the mounted unit containing the non-blown component, and operation of the blowing circuit is checked based on potentials detected by the detection circuit before current supply and during current supply, respectively, or potentials detected by the detection circuit before current supply and after current supply, respectively.

07-28-2011

20110274444

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a developing device, a toner cartridge to supply a toner to the developing device, a first memory which is provided in the toner cartridge and in which data of a toner characteristic is previously stored, a toner use amount detection mechanism to detect a parameter value for obtaining a toner use amount, a second memory which is provided in the image forming unit and in which the parameter value and a threshold of a toner use amount for performing a toner replacement operation are stored, and an arithmetic control mechanism which obtains the toner use amount based on the parameter value, compares the toner use amount with the threshold, determines necessity of the toner replacement operation, and executes the toner replacement operation based on the characteristic data.

11-10-2011

20110274445

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an identification-section detecting device configured to detect, on the basis of an identification section included in a developer cartridge, a type of a developer stored by the developer cartridge and detect, on the basis of an identification section included in a developing device, a type of a developer used by the developing device and a control section configured to determine, on the basis of an output of the identification-section detecting device, whether the type of the developer stored by the developer cartridge and the type of the developer used by the developing device coincide with each other, prohibit from performing image formation if the types of the developers do not coincide with each other, and set an image forming method according to the determined types of the developers if the types of the developers coincide with each other.

11-10-2011

20110206387

INFORMATION INPUT METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ASSOCIATED APPARATUS OF IMAGING DEVICE - An information input method, apparatus and system for an associated apparatus of an imaging device are provided. The system includes a chip and an information input apparatus; the chip is adapted to store universal information, and alternative information sent by the information input apparatus; the information input apparatus is adapted to store and send to the chip the alternative information.

08-25-2011

20090196633

IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMATION SYSTEM AND COMPONENT - An image formation apparatus includes a receiving unit that is removably receiving a component, a determination unit that determines the acceptability of the component received in the receiving unit, and a control unit that, if the determination unit does not confirm the acceptability of the component, provides a notification and stops at least a portion of the image forming function at a predetermined time, after providing the notification.

08-06-2009

20090190935

Systems and Methods for Universal Imaging Components - A universal cartridge chip for use with an imaging process cartridge installed in an imaging device is disclosed. The universal cartridge chip includes a memory storing imaging process cartridge data. The universal cartridge chip may be installed on the imaging process cartridge in a first orientation or a second orientation. If the cartridge chip is installed in a first orientation, the cartridge chip operates in a first mode. If the cartridge chip is installed in a second orientation the cartridge chip operates in a second mode.

07-30-2009

20090238583

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - In an image forming apparatus, a timer unit measures a time interval between a current time and a time point when previous supply of toner to a developing unit ended and an adjusting unit adjusts an amount of toner to be supplied to the developing unit based on the time interval measured at the timer unit.

09-24-2009

20090010658

UNIVERSAL SMART CHIP CARTRIDGES FOR MULTIPLE PRINTING APPARATUS - A printing system includes first and second printing devices operable exclusively with respective first and second consumable devices. A third consumable device is provided in the system storing identification data recognizable by both the first and second printing devices whereby the third consumable device is operable with both the first and second printing devices. Further, the universal marking material cartridge is provided for use in associated printing system including first and second printing devices operable exclusively with respective first and second consumable devices. The universal marking material cartridge stores identification data recognizable by both first and second printing devices whereby the cartridge is operable with both of the printing devices.

01-08-2009

20090185812

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

07-23-2009

20090028582

Image Forming Apparatus and Method of Setting the Same - An image forming apparatus can be so set as to allow or not to allow a low price consumable cartridge to operate with it. It can take a status where “00” is stored in the apparatus status recording memory thereof that allows it to be loaded with an ordinary toner cartridge or a low price toner cartridge supplied by the same manufacturer such that it operates normally when it is loaded with an ordinary toner cartridge but only limitedly when loaded with a low price toner cartridge and a status where 01 is stored in the apparatus status recording memory thereof so that it operates normally regardless if it is loaded with an ordinary toner cartridge or a low price toner cartridge.

01-29-2009

20080273883

CONSUMABLE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable includes a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times. Therefore, if the consumable is replaced, it is possible to prevent the first memory and second memory from being recycled.

11-06-2008

20080279568

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, COMPONENT, COMPONENT CHECKING METHOD, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - With this invention, compatibility between an image forming apparatus and a component mounted on the image forming apparatus is precisely checked. A cartridge as the component stores its ID (first information) and an ID (second information) of the image forming apparatus that can use the cartridge. The image forming apparatus stores its ID (third information) and an ID (fourth information) of the cartridge that can be used in the image forming apparatus. Then, when the fourth information includes the first information or the second information includes the third information, it is decided that the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus can be used. When the fourth information does not include the first information and the second information does not include the third information, it is decided that the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

11-13-2008

20090116853

IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE HAVING BELT CLEANING UNIT - An image-forming device includes an electrophotographic image-forming section, a receptacle, a detecting unit, a shielding member, a drive mechanism. The electrophotographic image-forming section transfers developer onto a recording sheet to form developer image thereon. The receptacle collects developer not transferred onto the recording sheet. The receptacle includes a detection portion. The detecting unit detects light passing through the detection portion. The shielding member is movably disposed in the detection portion to move between a first position blocking the light to be detected by the detecting unit and a second position allowing the light to pass through the detection portion. The drive mechanism moves the shielding member between the first position and the second position in a direction different from a vertical direction.

05-07-2009

20090116854

Image forming apparatus, computer program product, and printing inhibiting method - A cartridge used for image formation is detachably accommodated in a main body of an image forming apparatus. A cartridge determining unit determines a cartridge type, which is a type of the cartridge, and a print-job determining unit determines a print job type, which is a type of a print job received from an external device. If the print job type and the cartridge type do not match, an inhibiting unit inhibits an image formation process.

05-07-2009

20090034991

APPARATUS TO PREVENT ERRONEOUS INSERTION OF PARTS, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING THE SAME, DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An apparatus to prevent an erroneous insertion of parts in an image forming apparatus, the apparatus includes part placement confirming members provided in a plurality of positions of a plurality of part mounting units, part indication member attachment/detachment units provided in the plurality of parts to be mounted on the part mounting units, and having structures each of which has a plurality of divided sections, and a plurality of part indication members combined into combinations of the respective part indication member attachment/detachment units so as to have corresponding combined structures according to positions of the respective part placement confirming members.

02-05-2009

20090175633

Image forming apparatus, tray ID management method, and computer-readable recording medium - An image forming apparatus includes an accumulating unit that accumulates therein a correspondence of tray classification information that represents a classification of each of sheet trays and tray identifiers that are information for identifying each of the sheet trays; a determining unit that determines whether there are overlapping tray identifiers in the accumulating unit, the overlapping tray identifiers being tray identifiers that are common for same tray classification information or different tray classification information; and a changing unit that, when the determining unit determines that there are overlapping tray identifiers, changes the overlapping tray identifiers in the accumulating unit so that there are no overlapping tray identifiers.

07-09-2009

20090175632

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same, the image forming apparatus including: a toner cartridge including a memory to provide first authentication information, and an authentication key circuit to provide a second authentication information; and a controller to authenticate the toner cartridge when the first authentication information and the second authentication information are identical. Furthermore, the controller intentionally destroys the first authentication information or the second authentication information when there is no toner in the toner cartridge. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized use of the toner cartridge, and thus to perform an ideal print operation.

07-09-2009

20090232520

Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes image forming means receiving at least MICR print data and forming an image of the data to be printed, determination means determining whether received data are authentication-requiring MICR print data that require performing a password authentication process or normal MICR print data that do not require performing the password authentication process, accumulation means accumulating the data to be printed, and control means reading the authentication-requiring MICR print data from the accumulation means at a predetermined timing and causing the image forming means to form an image of the authentication-requiring MICR print data.

09-17-2009

20080226308

Web cartridge refurbishment verification - A method of verifying web cartridge refurbishment is disclosed. The method includes installing a refurbished web cartridge in a print apparatus, the print apparatus comprising an encoder and a web sensor and utilizing the encoder and the web sensor to verify refurbishment of the installed web cartridge.

09-18-2008

20090022504

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE CARRIER, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus includes a unit, a mark detector, and a controller. The unit is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus and includes an information mark pattern indicating predetermined information. The mark detector detects the information mark pattern. The controller obtains the information indicated by the information mark pattern based on a detection result provided by the mark detector.

01-22-2009

20090022503

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD - When an image forming apparatus is disabled due to a cause rather than the detection of the toner empty condition, it is determined whether a recovery operation is a first recovery operation or a second recovery operation. The first recovery operation is associated with a mounting/dismounting of the toner cartridge performed from when the image forming apparatus is disabled until when the recovery operation begins. The second recovery operation is not associated with the mounting/dismounting. A toner supply control controls the toner supply operation when the recovery operation is performed on condition that the empty memory memorizes that the toner empty detector detects the empty condition. When the recovery operation is the first recovery operation, the toner supply control allows the toner to be supplied into the developer housing. While, when the recovery operation is the second recovery operation, the toner supply control prohibits the toner from being supplied into developer housing.

01-22-2009

20090087198

Consumable Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Using the Same - Both the user of an image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus can determine if the consumable cartridge supplied to the apparatus is a refilled product or not at a glance. The consumable cartridge is for supplying a consumable to be used in the image forming process of an image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. It has an ID tag memory seal

04-02-2009

20080298820

METHOD OF READING INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION OF A DETACHABLE UNIT, INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION READING DEVICE, APPARATUS HAVING THE INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION READING DEVICE, AND A DETACHABLE UNIT - In an apparatus including the detachable unit, when reading individual information of the detachable unit, a first label for generating a reference signal for reading individual information and a second label representing the individual information are arranged on a surface of the detachable unit, with a first label reading unit, the reference signal is generated while reading the first label in a predetermined direction, and with a second label reading unit, the individual information of the detachable unit contained in the second label is read in synchronous with the generated reference signal. Read individual information is stored, and whether a mounted detachable unit is new or used is recognized based on a comparison of individual information read from the detachable unit with stored individual information.

12-04-2008

20080253778

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INTO WHICH REPLACEABLE UNITS ARE DETACHABLY ATTACHED - A replaceable unit is detachably attached into an image forming apparatus. The replaceable unit includes: a first cover member provided with a through hole that indicates a direction of the attachment and the detachment of the replaceable unit with respect to the image forming apparatus; and a second cover member having a color different from a color of the first cover member, and being formed to block the through hole from inner side of the replaceable unit when the first cover member is attached to the second cover member.

10-16-2008

20080298819

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, ADJUSTING METHOD THEREOF AND REPLACEMENT COMPONENT THEREOF - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which a replacement component is set including the replacement component in which a storage medium storing adjustment necessity information indicating whether an adjustment procedure is needed or not after the replacement component is replaced and adjustment item information indicating an adjustment item is attached, an information reading unit to read the adjustment necessity information and the adjustment item information from the storage medium when the replacement component is set and a control unit to execute the adjustment procedure based on the adjustment necessity information and the adjustment item information read by the information reading unit when a power is turned on after the replacement component is replaced.

12-04-2008

20090220251

Image Forming Apparatus and Method of Determining Update of Identification Information - An image forming apparatus includes a developing rotary unit configured to attach a plurality of developing cartridges, the developing cartridges respectively having cartridge storage portions for respectively storing identification information about the corresponding developing cartridges, a communicating unit that communicates with the cartridge storage portions, a storage unit configured to store the identification information, and a control unit that reads the identification information from the cartridge storage portions of all the developing cartridges through the communicating unit and writes the read identification information into the storage unit so as to update the identification information stored in the storage unit when a power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned ON or a body cover for the developing rotary unit is closed.

09-03-2009

20090220250

Image forming apparatus and development cartridge - An image forming apparatus is provided. A development cartridge having a first memory storing therein cartridge information is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus casing and an exposure unit having plural light emitting portions. The exposure unit is supported by the apparatus casing so that the light emitting portions face a photosensitive member rotatably supported by the apparatus casing. The image forming apparatus further includes a reader unit disposed on the exposure unit and configured to read the cartridge information from the first memory when the development cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

09-03-2009

20090103933

Apparatus and method for image forming - An image forming apparatus is provided with a process cartridge that is removable from the image forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is installed, the image forming apparatus automatically searches a print job that matches the process cartridge that is currently installed onto the image forming apparatus.

04-23-2009

20090097868

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes cartridges mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus and including at least developing devices that develop latent images, formed on image bearing members, into toner images. The image forming apparatus forms an image onto a recording material. In the apparatus, for the developing devices, first and second cartridges containing toners having the same hue and having different brightnesses may be exchanged with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus for use. In addition, a maximum toner amount with respect to the image bearing member when the first cartridge is used is made different from a maximum toner amount with respect to the image bearing member when the second cartridge is used.

04-16-2009

20090028583

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Time required for setting a print mode in a print standby state is shortened, in performing recovering operation. In an attachment state of consumable units on an image forming apparatus, information of the consumable unit memorized in nonvolatile memories of consumable units is memorized in a second nonvolatile memory, and after the print mode is set in an unprintable state, recovering operation having possibility of replacing the consumable units is performed. Thereafter, whether the same consumable units as those before the unprintable state are attached to the image forming apparatus is determined. At this time, a signal based on the information of the consumable units memorized in the nonvolatile memory is transmitted to a bus connected to a plurality of nonvolatile memories, and when there is a reply of a part of the information in the nonvolatile memories to this transmission, it is determined that the same consumable units as those before the unprintable state are attached to the image forming apparatus.

01-29-2009

20090041481

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus includes a replaceable image formation unit. The image forming apparatus includes an input device for inputting a signal representing occurrence of abnormality in one of an output image and the image forming apparatus recognized by an operator, a unit specifying device for specifying an image formation unit to be replaced for resolving the abnormality upon receiving the signal, and a notification device for notifying information related to the replacement unit based on the unit specification result.

02-12-2009

20090041480

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to receive an image forming agent from a cartridge having a state indicating element to form an image, a state setting unit to open the state indicating element, and a controller to determine a usage amount of the image forming agent used to form the image by recognizing identification information of the cartridge, and to control the state setting unit to open the state indicating element of the cartridge if the usage amount of the image forming agent is equal to or greater than a preset value.

02-12-2009

20080232826

Systems and methods for material authentication - Systems and methods for authentication of materials used in imaging members and assemblies. Authentication of imaging materials ensure that compatible components are being used with the imaging members and assemblies. Embodiments provide a system and method for efficiently detecting whether materials being used in the imaging members and assemblies are compatible and authentic materials authorized for such uses.

09-25-2008

20080317480

Image forming device and cartridge - An image forming device includes a device body, a cartridge detachably attached to the device body so as to accommodate material which includes one of consumable material and waste material, a sensor configured to emit and receive sensing light and give a detection value corresponding to an amount of the material in the cartridge which amount is detected based upon an intensity of the sensing light received thereby, a received light changing member configured to change the intensity of the sensing light received by the sensor, and a judging unit configured to judge based upon a change of the detection value given by the sensor whether the cartridge is a new one.

12-25-2008

20080317479

Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a body, to which a plurality of image forming cartridges containing developers are attachable; and a communication device which wirelessly communicates with a plurality of non-contact tags provided to the plurality of image forming cartridges, respectively. The communication device includes: a plurality of antennas which are provided correspondingly with the plurality of image forming cartridges; and a switching controller which switches signals from the plurality of antennas.

12-25-2008

20080226309

Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus is capable of reducing the vast amounts of image forming apparatus input lines by placing detection data from a plurality of detection means on a single signal line. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming controller configured to control a movement of the image forming apparatus, plural drivers configured to drive plural actuators, an identification controller configured to be coupled to a data signal line, an identification signal line and a term signal line, wherein the identification controller is configured to identify one of the plural drivers based on a term signal and an identification signal that are output from the image forming controller, and to output a driving signal from the image forming controller to the identified driver.

09-18-2008

20080205911

METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATING TO IMAGE FORMING APPARATUSES - The invention describes an image forming apparatus having a cartridge configured to be removably attached to a main body. The cartridge has a rotational body positioned within the cartridge and an extension portion protruding outward from the rotational body in an axial direction. The device body has a main body, which has a driving member that rotates the rotational body and the extension portion, a detecting unit for detecting a movement of the extension portion, and a determining unit for determining a type of the developer cartridge using either a time elapsed between a time in which the driving member begins driving the rotational body and a time in which the detecting unit detects the movement of the extension portion, or a drive amount of the drive device occurring during an elapsed time.